Echinacea plant named &#39;Balsombabur&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Echinacea  plant named ‘Balsombabur’, characterized by its deep burgundy-colored inflorescences, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit, is disclosed.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES OF PLANT CLAIMED

Echinacea×hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Balsombabur’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofEchinacea plant botanically known as Echinacea×hybrida and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Balsombabur’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Elburn,Ill. during October 2010. The objective of the breeding program was thedevelopment of Echinacea cultivars with a single inflorescence formhaving imbricate ray florets and a well-branched, compact growth habit.

The new Echinacea cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. Thefemale (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietaryEchinacea×hybrida breeding selection coded E74-2, U.S. Pat. No.7,982,110, characterized by its single-type, dark red colored rayflorets having a light tip, medium green-colored foliage, and vigorous,upright growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar isfrom a bulk pollen mix of five proprietary Echinacea×hybrida breedingselections coded E74-1, E74-3, E74-4, E74-5, and E74-6, U.S. Pat. No.7,982,110, characterized by their single-type, medium to dark shades oforange and red-orange colored ray florets, medium green-colored foliage,and vigorous, upright growth habits. The new cultivar was discovered andselected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the abovestated cross-pollination during September 2011 in a controlledenvironment in Elburn, Ill.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by in vitro propagation sinceSeptember 2011 in West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the newcultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘Balsombabur’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Echinacea plant:

1. Deep burgundy-colored inflorescences;

2. Medium green-colored foliage; and

3. Moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent andthe possible male parents primarily in ray floret color and in having amore branched habit.

Of the many commercially available Echinacea cultivars, the most similarin comparison to the new cultivar is SOMBRERO Salsa Red ‘Balsomsed’,U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,105. However, in side by side comparisons, plantsof the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Balsomsed’ in at least thefollowing characteristics:

1. Plants of the new cultivar are taller than plants of ‘Balsomsed’;

2. Plants of the new cultivar have larger leaves than plants of‘Balsomsed’; and

3. Plants of the new cultivar have a ray floret color different fromplants of ‘Balsomsed’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalinflorescence and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors inthe photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed description, which accurately describes the colors of‘Balsombabur’. The plants were transplanted from one-gallon containersand grown in a garden-type bed for 3 months in West Chicago, Ill.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof ‘Balsombabur’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual inflorescence of‘Balsombabur’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,2007 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significanceare used. The color values were determined in August 2015 under naturallight conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe plants producedfrom in vitro plantlets and grown under conditions comparable to thoseused in commercial practice. The plants were transplanted fromone-gallon containers and grown in a garden-type bed for 3 months inWest Chicago, Ill. During this period the temperature ranged from a lowof 41° F. (5° C.) and a high of 93° F. (34° C.). Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plants.

-   Botanical classification: Echinacea×hybrida cultivar Balsombabur.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary Echinacea×hybrida breeding            selection coded E74-2, U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,110.        -   Male parent.—Bulk pollen mix of five proprietary            Echinacea×hybrida breeding selections coded E74-1, E74-3,            E74-4, E74-5, and E74-6, U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,110.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—In vitro propagation is preferred, divisions are            possible.        -   Time to initiate roots in vitro.—Approximately 30 days at            18° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted plantlet in summer.—Approximately            30 days at 18° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; grey to light brown in            color.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderate density, moderate branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 14 to 16 weeks from a            rooted tissue culture plantlet to finish in a one-gallon            container.        -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Compact-upright,            herbaceous perennial.        -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Outdoor plant performance.—Use as bedding plants or in            mixed-container plantings; at least tolerant to temperatures            up to 35° C. and hardy to USDA zone 4.        -   Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane:            Approximately 47.5 cm. Width: Approximately 41.0 cm.        -   Branching habit.—No lateral branching, flowering stems grow            from base. Quantity of main stems per plant: Approximately            4.        -   Stems.—Strength: Very strong. Aspect: Nearly erect. Shape:            Rounded. Length to base of inflorescence: Approximately            20.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 6.0 mm. Length of central            internode: Approximately 3.0 cm. Texture: Densely pubescent            with short strigose hairs. Color of young stems: 144A to            144B. Color of mature stems: 144A to 144B with an overlay of            187A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   General description.—Form: Simple. Arrangement: Alternate.        -   Leaves.—Aspect: Perpendicular to stem, subtending with age.            Shape: Narrowly ovate to lanceolate. Margin: Entire,            slightly undulate. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Venation            pattern: Pinnate. Length of mature leaf: Approximately            14.5 cm. Width of mature leaf: Approximately 5.0 cm. Texture            of upper surface: Dull, moderately pubescent with short            strigose hairs. Texture of lower surface: Moderately            pubescent with short strigose hairs. Color of upper surface            of young and mature foliage: Closest to 137A with venation            of 147C, midvein often has overlay of 187A. Color of lower            surface of young and mature foliage: Closest to 147B with            venation of 147D.        -   Petiole.—Shape: V-shaped. Length: Approximately 11.0 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm. Texture of upper surface:            Glabrous. Texture of lower surface: Sparsely covered with            very short strigose hairs. Color of upper and lower            surfaces: 147D with an overlay of 187A.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Balsombabur’ is freely flowering under            outdoor growing conditions blooming from spring through            autumn and with limited flowering under short winter days in            a greenhouse environment.        -   Lastingness of individual inflorescence on the            plant.—Approximately 3 weeks.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Solitary, composite. Persistent.            Shape: Conical. Aspect: Facing upward. Arrangement:            Terminal, held upright on strong peduncles. Fragrance:            Faintly sweet. Quantity per plant: Approximately 6. Height:            Approximately 5.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 6.5 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect to approximately            45° from vertical. Length: Approximately 24.0 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 5.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with short            strigose hairs. Color: 144A to 144B with an overlay of 187A.        -   Bud.—Quantity per plant: Approximately 3. Shape: Flattened            globular with immature ray florets nearly erect. Length:            Approximately 1.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.7 cm. Color:            Outer ray florets of 154D with 187B at tip; bud center of            143A.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 19.            Arrangement: In a single whorl, slightly imbricate. Aspect:            Perpendicular to disc, subtending with age. Shape: Elliptic            to narrowly obovate. Appearance: Dull. Margin: Entire. Apex:            Emarginate to notched. Base: Attenuate. Length:            Approximately 3.5 cm. Width: Approximately 1.3 cm. Texture            of upper surface: Glabrous, ribbed longitudinally. Texture            of lower surface: Sparsely pubescent, ribbed longitudinally.            Color of upper surface when first open: 46B. Color of lower            surface when first open: 70A. Color of upper surface when            fully open: 53A changing to 59A to 59B with age. Color of            lower surface when fully open: Close to 70A with tips of            145B; darkens slightly with age.        -   Disc florets.—Disc diameter: Approximately 3.5 cm. Quantity            per inflorescence: Approximately 350. Arrangement: Spirally            arranged in center of inflorescence. Shape: Tubular. Margin            of free portion: Entire. Apex: Five acute tips. Base: Fused            into a tube. Length: Approximately 9.0 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color of upper or            inner surface when first and fully open: 145C with 185A at            tips. Color of lower or outer surface when first and fully            open: 145B transitioning to 145D at base and 185A at tips.        -   Receptacle.—Shape: Conical. Height: Approximately 1.9 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 1.5 cm. Color: 155D.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence Approximately 36.            Arrangement: In a three whorls. Appearance: Dull, stiff.            Shape: Narrowly ovate to lanceolate, strongly curved towards            the peduncle. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate.            Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width: Approximately 2.0 to            3.0 mm. Texture of upper or inner surface: Glabrous. Texture            of lower or outer surface: Moderately pubescent with short            strigose hairs. Color of upper surface: 137A. Color of lower            surface: 137B.        -   Receptacle spines.—Number of spines per disc:            Approximately 350. Shape: Acicular. Length: Approximately            1.3 cm. Width at widest point: Approximately 2.0 mm. Apex:            Acute. Base: Truncate. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Apex of            167B tipped with 187A, mid-section of 144A, and base of            145D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets            only. Stamen quantity: 5 per floret. Anther shape: Oblong,            basifixed. Anther length: Approximately 3.0 mm. Anther            color: Closest to 203B. Filament length: Approximately            2.0 mm. Filament color: 145D. Pollen amount: Moderate to            abundant. Pollen color: 14A. Gynoecium: Present on disc            florets only. Pistil quantity: 1 per floret. Pistil length:            Approximately 9.0 mm. Stigma shape: Bifid. Stigma length:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Stigma color: 187A. Style length:            Approximately 5.0 mm. Style color: 145D. Ovary length:            Approximately 3.0 mm. Ovary color: 145D.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility to other diseases or insects noted to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea plantnamed ‘Balsombabur’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.